I am the teacher of athletes;
He that by me spreads a wider breast than my own, proves the width of my own;
He most honors my style who learns under it to destroy the teacher.
[47.1]
The boy I love, the same becomes a man, not through derived power, but in his own right,
Wicked, rather than virtuous out of conformity or fear, 1235
Fond of his sweetheart, relishing well his steak, Unrequited love, or a slight , cutting him worse than sharp steel cuts,
First-rate to ride, to fight, to hit the bull’s eye, to sail a skiff , to sing a song, or play on the banjo,
Preferring scars, and the beard, and faces pitted with small-pox, over all latherers ,
And those well tann’d to those that keep out of the sun. 1240
[47.2]
I teach straying from me—yet who can stray from me?
I follow you, whoever you are, from the present hour;
My words itch at your ears till you understand them.
[47.3]
I do not say these things for a dollar, or to fill up the time while I wait for a boat;
It is you talking just as much as myself—I act as the tongue of you; 1245
Tied in your mouth, in mine it begins to be loosen’d.
[47.4]
I swear I will never again mention love or death inside a house,
And I swear I will never translate myself at all, only to him or her who privately stays with me in the open air.
[47.5]
If you would understand me, go to the heights or water-shore;
The nearest gnat is an explanation, and a drop or motion of waves a key; 1250
The maul , the oar, the hand-saw, second my words.
[47.6]
No shutter’d room or school can commune with me,
But roughs and little children better than they.
[47.7]
The young mechanic is closest to me—he knows me well;
The woodman, that takes his axe and jug with him, shall take me with him all day; 1255
The farm-boy, ploughing in the field, feels good at the sound of my voice;
In vessels that sail, my words sail—I go with fishermen and seamen, and love them.
[47.8]
The soldier camp’d, or upon the march, is mine;
On the night ere the pending battle, many seek me, and I do not fail them;
On the solemn night (it may be their last,) those that know me, seek me. 1260
[47.9]
My face rubs to the hunter’s face, when he lies down alone in his blanket;
The driver, thinking of me, does not mind the jolt of his wagon;
The young mother and old mother comprehend me;
The girl and the wife rest the needle a moment, and forget where they are;
They and all would resume what I have told them. 1265
[47.10]
47.
I am the teacher of athletes;
He that by me spreads a wider breast than my own, proves the width of my own;
He most honors my style who learns under it to destroy the teacher.
[47.1]
The boy I love, the same becomes a man, not through derived power, but in his own right,
Wicked, rather than virtuous out of conformity or fear, 1235
Fond of his sweetheart, relishing well his steak,
Unrequited love, or a slight , cutting him worse than sharp steel cuts,
First-rate to ride, to fight, to hit the bull’s eye, to sail a skiff , to sing a song, or play on the banjo,
Preferring scars, and the beard, and faces pitted with small-pox, over all latherers ,
And those well tann’d to those that keep out of the sun. 1240
[47.2]
I teach straying from me—yet who can stray from me?
I follow you, whoever you are, from the present hour;
My words itch at your ears till you understand them.
[47.3]
I do not say these things for a dollar, or to fill up the time while I wait for a boat;
It is you talking just as much as myself—I act as the tongue of you; 1245
Tied in your mouth, in mine it begins to be loosen’d.
[47.4]
I swear I will never again mention love or death inside a house,
And I swear I will never translate myself at all, only to him or her who privately stays with me in the open air.
[47.5]
If you would understand me, go to the heights or water-shore;
The nearest gnat is an explanation, and a drop or motion of waves a key; 1250
The maul , the oar, the hand-saw, second my words.
[47.6]
No shutter’d room or school can commune with me,
But roughs and little children better than they.
[47.7]
The young mechanic is closest to me—he knows me well;
The woodman, that takes his axe and jug with him, shall take me with him all day; 1255
The farm-boy, ploughing in the field, feels good at the sound of my voice;
In vessels that sail, my words sail—I go with fishermen and seamen, and love them.
[47.8]
The soldier camp’d, or upon the march, is mine;
On the night ere the pending battle, many seek me, and I do not fail them;
On the solemn night (it may be their last,) those that know me, seek me. 1260
[47.9]
My face rubs to the hunter’s face, when he lies down alone in his blanket;
The driver, thinking of me, does not mind the jolt of his wagon;
The young mother and old mother comprehend me;
The girl and the wife rest the needle a moment, and forget where they are;
They and all would resume what I have told them. 1265
[47.10]
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